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Draw proves Poland can play well without Lewandowski – Brzeczek

Robert Lewandowski missed Poland's draw with Portugal due to a knee injury but head coach Jerzy Brzeczek said the team can play without him.

Published

21 November 2018

Poland's fightback to draw 1-1 against the 10 men of Portugal proved they can play well without talismanic striker Robert Lewandowski, according to head coach Jerzy Brzeczek.

Arkadiusz Milik's second-half penalty earned relegated Poland a Nations League point that ensured them a place in pot one of the Euro 2020 qualifying draw at the expense of Germany.

Andre Silva's header had given Portugal the lead in the first half but Danilo Pereira's foul on Milik saw the hosts concede a penalty and the midfielder sent off before the encounter in Guimaraes ended all square.

Lewandowski played in Poland's previous game, which ended in a 1-0 friendly defeat to the Czech Republic, before withdrawing from the squad and returning to Bayern Munich with a knee injury.

Brzeczek told TVP Sport: "We played a good game. We lost a goal quite quickly but we did not lose self-confidence. This is the most important thing, that we did not give up.

"Something important happened: we proved we can play well even without Robert Lewandowski. I am sure it will help us in the future.

"I am also glad of the level of our defence. Again, we proved that without Kamil Glik, another key player, we can do well.

"I am not glad that I have not won any of my six games as Poland coach, but I am sure that this difficult path we are going through will make us stronger."